Indo-Russian group to expedite commissioning of Nuclear plants

Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, Apr 8 (UNI) A joint Indo-Russian group will be constituted to expedite the commissioning of two Russian-supplied 1000 MW Atomic Power Stations here as soon as possible without compromising on quality and security aspects, said former Russian Prime Minister and head of Federal Agency of Russia for Atomic Energy (Rosatom) Sergei Kiriyenko.

After reviewing the progress of construction of the Nuclear plants with Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar, he told newspersons here that the group would be asked to submit a report in the middle of May.

''We will ensure the commissioning of Units one and two without any compromise on quality and security. That is our first priority,'' Mr Kiriyenko said and added Russia and India had a long standing strategic partnership in dealing with Nuclear power.

''We also discussed the prospects of further co-operation of strategic partnership,'' the head of the Russia's Atomic Energy Agency said.

Mr Kakodkar, who was also present said the Russian delegation's visit allowed both the countries to take stock of the progress of the project to ensure the smooth commissioning.

He also said the two Units would be commissioned in two phases.

Mr Kiriyenko's visit gains significance, especially in the backdrop of increased civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries. It was in 1988 that the Indian Government entered into an agreement with the Government of the erstwhile USSR for setting up the plants at Kudankulam in Thirunelvei district.

The responsibility of entire plant design and the manufacturing and supply of all equipments, training of manpower for operation lies with the Russian side and the construction of infrastructure, contract management, erection, commissioning of equipments lies with the Indian side, undertaken by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.

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